Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 37

He -i Bubb st nampaqiie never By GEORGE ROSS What kind of i man was Tony Lema? to a word, beautiful. Beautiful in a crowded room, keeping the fun going. Beautiful with kids, revisiting the boys dub where he had found character and purpose. Beautiful on a golf course, with the fluid swing and the precision approach of a great champion. Beautiful with the press, with with locker room boys, with a great army of close friends who loved him.

Beautiful with his mother, and the young wife with whom he died. y- the biggest amateur links events of the season la North-era California, IF he caa score another upset by beating Aide Galletti of Oakland. "Galletti, the Eastbay's 1949 champion of champions, is the only former Regional Park ti-tlist still in the chase. "This time the experts will be prepared or anything Lema might do. Dick Fry, veteran Lake Chabot pro, has seen to that "Lema, reports Fry, is a Chabot caddy who attends St Elizabeth's.

Tony is an intense golf enthusiast who has been caddy-mg at the city links since he was 11 "A taTL skinny kkL Lema aa accurate shooter who kits the long ball Tsjid is respected for kis excellent patting. "Tony's chances of beating Galletti, who calls Tilden Park his home course, are slim. So were his chances against Kicherer. One thing is certain, Lema win be the sentimental favorite." Galletti and took his third TUden title. Lema, who won a few titles from men on, remained a senti-mental favorite through what was left to him of a short, sweet life.

His kind of champagne never lost its bubble. The world of sports is sitting in a quiet corner today, remembering Tony Lema. i John Brodie loved him, and Archie Matsos. Angle Benites loved him, and Dick Fry. Father Monaghan loved him and East Oakland Boys Club.

Ed Schoenfeld loved him, and Russ Reed. Ken Venturi loved him, and Phil Rodgers. There are few who didn't Here was a man Just a boy grewi op, a sweet-swinging, sweet-thinking man in love with life, with golf; with sports, with people. Oakland loved him, and San Leandro. San Francisco loved him, and Elko, Nev.

New a a a in the 12 pressrooms and ordered more de-1 i to his sportswriter friends back home in the Bay Area. An Oaklander-San Leandran to the core, Tony wore his Oakland Raiders cap, a white one styled like those worn by Raider coaches, on part of the tour. He preferred to go bareheaded, but got the Raiders to have the cap made up for him to wear during the 1964 Lucky Open in San Francisco. It was fan for him, a rib at his friends across the bay, bat aa indicator too the Raiders were his team. Oakland was his town, too.

Of the of words printed about Tony Lema, the story he remembered best was the first one, written by Ed Schoenfeld those many years and many tournaments ago; and published in The Tribune of Aug. 11, 1950. It went like this: "Tony Lema, a It-year-old kid, caught the so-called golf experts with their guards down In the opening round of the 13th Regional Park Championship at TUden "He ousted the defending champion, Bob Kicherer of Richmond. The teenager has the chance on Sunday to become the seasa-tioa of the tournament, sue tf York dry loved him, and St. Andrews, Scotland.

The men of golf are telling their thoughts today, recalling their affection for the crinkle-eyed young man who made "Champagne Tony" a legendary name because it was a good thing to do. The story of it is old. At the Orange County Open in 1962 Tony quipped to sportswriters drinking beer in the pressroom: "Fellows, if I win this thing, we'll all have champagne." Tony won and the champagne tradition was born. He won 12 tournaments in his brilliant career, including the British Open in 1964, and Tony set up the Ibmw eibergerby Perry, Juan vs. Pirates W-S Four Strokes GEORGE ROSS, Sports Editor MONDAY, JULY 25, 1966 37 AKRON, Ohio (AP) Al Get championship It has to be longshot" said Geiberger who berger, the new PGA champion, always seems to be smiling.

By EMMONS BYRNE The league leading Pirates op ED LEVITT "Some of my friends thought I had a good chance because they kept saying 'You can win it be ened a three-game series in Candlestick today and the Giants are ready to make their chal Last Toast cause you're going back to your own track' in reference to my lenge to regain first place. Juan Marichal started against victory last year. young Woody Fryman this after For "I'm glad they were right" said Geiberger, who was Tony noon and Gaylord Perry, the presented with a three-pound other big gun on the SanTran-Cisco pitching staff, will start tomorrow. rf I i i doesn't the colorful personality traits of golfing heroes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. But they may have to make room at the top for this gangling beanpole who has to munch on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to keep his game going.

Geiberger left the Palmers, the Nkklauses, the Players and Caspersinhis wake Sunday when he managed to master gigantic Firestone course and win the PGA's Golden Anniversary tournament by four strokes over Dudley Wy-song. i The victory, Geiberger's first major championship, was no fluke. The 28-year-old Southern California graduate shot an identical 280 for 72 holes last year to beat nearly the same field and win the American Golf Classic at the same 7-180-yard course with a demanding par 70. The corks stopped popping last night. Champagne With these two men for start ers, the Giants hope to avenge themselves for what happened in Pittsburgh eight days ago.

That was when the Bnccos jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread when he took his seat in the press, tent Geiberger, who appears be loose and unassuming on the golf course, says he is highly nervous so much so mat he burns energjso fast that he must get something In his "Actually it istarted at the PGA last Geiberger sakt "I was playing with Arnold Palmer and the galleries were so big mat I couldn't get to the CtatfaiwdParett.CbLI swept a Sunday doable header to knock the Candlestickers oat of first place. Ron Herbel, who hadn't won since June 27, started against the Phillies yesterday and won a 4-1 decision before an appreciative crowd of 30,835 to take "Anytime you win a. major Continued Page 39, CoL 4 Tony was aeaa. Tony Lema already had become a legend at 32. But how do you deal with a legend? If you're Tony's mother living in San Leandro, your If you're just a golf fan, you feel the loss deeply, almost though a member of your own family had passed away, And if you're a reporter who had known and admired the young mauvyou fight the sadness inside and try to tell Tony's story, M.

"If I never win again," said Lema after his only victory on the PGA tour this year in the Oklahoma City Open, "I won't be so disappointed that it will kill me. "Golf has been good to me. I've won more than I ever hoped to win. I'd likeo give a little bit back to golf because it's been so awfully good to me." Tony gave back jnore than a little bit He was its colorful, bubbly, ambassador; of; good will. He was a great drawing card, a proven champion and a guy you wanted to be around for the laughs.

Helped Needy Kids Here 4 xurzua II mm At THE TOP Tony Lema, the Oakland single year, was always the relaxed boy who rose to the top of the golf swinger, on the course or on the bal-world and earned over $100,000 in a cony of an Alameda apartment he had. Lot uo mako your car wwnoga VACATION QAFEI hours kijdvv Venturi: Tony and I But there was another side to Tony a humble side. Last fall he approached our Ed Schoenfeld, his long time confidant and chronicler, with a proposition. "Do me a favor?" said Tony. "I'm going to buy a batch of season tickets for Oakland Raider games and I'd appreciate it if you would pass them out to some of the poor kids around town.

"I was in their shoes once. I know how it feels. Now that I can do something I'd like to help them out. i You got oil thlo oorvlco work i t. -f Were Like Brothers for Most Amcriccn only.

IS COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -The death of Champagne Tony Lema, who bubbled over the flamboyant personality, easy to play with and possessed a sharp wit and sense of humor. He was Continued Page 38, CoL 4 that he won't be with us at the next tournament" said Tommy Jacobs, chairman of the players committee. "He was a great i cere I Parti xtn.ifnteie& golf course like the drink for which he was left the golf world shocked, sad 1 Drako Adjustment Front Whool Dolonoo Front End Alignment! dened and unbelieving. "Oh, my God! What a terrible thing," cried Jack Nicklaus when he got the news. "Tony Smith's 43.8 Helps Set World Relay Record wai one of the real great guys on the tour." In Akron, where Lema and LOS ANGELES (API Two the rest of the pros had com world records were broken and peted in toe PGA Tournament Sunday, Ken Venturi and his winner at 5,000 and 10,000 meters; Jim Ryun won the half-mile, and the U.S.

relay team clipped a second off the world record. wife, Conni, heard the news in a motel lobby, broke into tears "I not only want them to see a loowau game, i warn them to go in style and sit in the best seats. "But don't mention my name. This is strictly between you and me. Just tell the kids the tickets came from a The tickets were distributed to Boys Clubs, Scouts and underprivileged youths here.

Nothing was ever written about it. But a scout leader finally let the word leak out. Immediately the appreciative youngsters began to send thank you notes to Later the tall swinger from San Leandro admitted that hearing from those kids made him feel as though he had accomplished something worthwhile in life. Remembered Lake Chabot Pals Tony Lema never forgot the friends who helped him on the road to fame and riches. After he won the 1964 British Open trophy, one of golf's greatest treasures, he immediately contacted Dick Fry, the pro manager at Lake Chabot here who started Tony in the sport.

want you to keep the trophy at Lake Chabot," said Tony. There were big, lush country clubs that would have given anything to display the trophy just for a day. Dick Fry had it at Lake Chabot, a municipal course, for three months. "It was so Fry, "I was afraid to leave it at the course. I took it home with me every night" When Tony returned to England to defend his British Open title Jast year, he walked into the press tent Our expert xnechasics align front wheels to xoamiactarers origmal Wa adjust brakes, add fluid and dean and repack front wheal ljearJnga.

Tommie Smith of San Jose Precision balancing extends tire life by preventing uneven wear. Weights included. specifications. and rushed to their room. Later, they stm were so broken up they could hardly talk.

"We were like brothers," said Venturi. "I have known Tony for three American marks fell, but a pair of weary decathlon men gasping through the shadows of evening climaxed the drama. Track and field stars in the two-day Los Angeles Times International Games were plentiful: John Pennel set a world pole vault mark of 17 feet 6V4 inches; Australian distance phenomenon Ron Clark was a double PAST "SAME DAY" SERVICE State, running the third leg of the relay, blazed home in an incredible 43.8 to help Bob Frey, Lee Evans and Theron Lewis break the record in 2:59.6. The old record of 3:00.7 was Continued Page 38, Col. I 20 years.

'In fact, my mother We ll give yii $5 tar yoaf ill1 lattery wies ysi kny a sew Firtrtssi Extra Ufi Battiry. XT gave him his first pair of golf shoes. I just can't believe it" "It is almost, unbelievable ogn All-ML Star Dduxo Chnmplon Csa Trcsda A IV CI7C BLACKWALLB OR ANY Ol-C WHrTEWALLB 62 and was chosen for the AO-Star game 62. He missed most of 1964 because of an injury and was used as a reserve last vear. ssr His experience showed yesterday as he filled in for rookie Lawrence Chambers of Gram- nun latest camp arrival.

Be used Harris at right corner in another def ens e-dominated scrimmage yesterday afternoon. The newcomer's credentials are impressive. Over the past six seasons be has Intercepted 29 puses and returned them for 413 yards and three touchdowns. He also was used by San Diega as a pant retaroer. Harris joined the Chargers in I960, the API's maiden season, after starring as a collegian at McNeese State.

He was named to the alUeague teams in 1961- By BOB VALLI Tribune Sports Writer SANTA ROSA Dick Harris, twice an all-AFL selection while playing for the San Diego Chargers, has become the 10th defensive back on the training camp roster of the Oakland Raiders. The 5-11, 187-pound veteran of six pro seasons was signed as a free agent by the Raiders after drawing his release from the Chargers. Coach John Ranch wasted no time taking a good look at the IIUCIIET 19741MmyAm OAKLAND 31492S OAKUNO M4044 lMrfiLS-SAM bling, who suffered a sprained left wrist Saturday. OAKLAND H-731 lrts'fi lugging we irupuy uuuct cuuu. mind terribly if I leave this here for a few days?" he said.

"I'll pick it up at the end of the week." The Britons gasped, then laughed at his joke. But Peter Thompson won the British Open in '65. And many of the staid old Englishmen were unhappy because confident Tony had lost his trophy. Behind Lema's effervescent personality lived an extremely sensitive young man. A few years ago Tony was given a testimonial dinner at the Athens Club here.

'sA Ssfc HjJw Starini; the third scrimmaee CONCOtO WAUJTU.JC 1 U4 M. OtaM SWA VU-1544 9AAess4 SssS kV NAYWAtO thtMMMM SANLiAHOaO Mum lbMMM.M in five days, coach Ranch used first down markers and chains for the first time. He gave the bail to cm otiense on me EMIKTYIUI 487SS- SANiOSI SsiH SmmmmM Continued Pile 41, CoL 4 He was so overwhelmed by the large attendance CottttnncdPagelLCoLl.